I have complied suggested etiquette tips below as reference, but feel free to adjust and modify them to suit your event. Sometimes even the oldest rules are meant to be broken.

FORMAL EVENTS

Step 1 : Identify the Host – Typically the names listed first identify who is hosting (paying) for the event.

Step 2 : Identify the Request – Formal wedding invitation have one of two requests. If the event is being held in a place of worship the phrase ‘request the honor of your presence, at the marriage of their daughter’ is used. ‘Request the pleasure of your company, at the marriage of their daughter’ is used for secular locations. If the couple is hosting, it is common to use ‘invite you to join us at the celebration of our marriage’.

Step 3 : Identify the Bride and Groom – Traditionally the bride is listed first and if she shares a lastname with her parents, only the first and middle names are included. The groom is identified with title (Mr. / Dr. / etc.), first, middle and last. A more modern interpretation often includes just the first and last names of both parties.

Step 4 : Identify the Date and Time – The date and time are always spelled out, with the month and day being capitalized. There is no ‘and’ when writing out the year, a correct example is two thousand twelve, not two thousand and twelve.

Step 5 : Identify the Location – If the ceremony is at a well-known location the street address does not need to be included. The zip code never needs to be included on the wedding invitation.

Hosted by the Bride's Parents

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Parents LastnameRequest the honor of your presenceat the marriage of their daughterBride First MiddleToGroom First Middle Last

Hosted by the Both Sets of Parents

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Parents LastnameAndMr. and Mrs. Groom’s Parents LastnameRequest the honor of your presenceAt the marriage of their childrenBride First MiddleAndGroom First Middle

Hosted by the Bride's Parents, but want to include Groom's parent's names

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Parents LastnameRequest the honor of your presenceAt the marriage of their daughterBride First MiddleTo Groom’s First Middle LastSon of Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Parents Lastname

Bride & Groom are Hosting

You are invited to celebrateThe wedding ofBride First Middle LastAndGroom First Middle Last

OR

Together with their parentsBride First Middle LastAndGroom First Middle LastRequest the honor of your presence

Bride's Parents are Hosting and Divorced

(Divorced and remarried parents, both hosting)Mr. and Mrs. Lastname 1AndMr. and Mrs. Lastname 2Request the honor of your presenceAt the marriage of their daughterBride First Middle

(If issued by the parent who raised her)Mr/s. Brides Father/Mother’s First LastRequests the honor of your presenceAt the wedding of his/her daughterBride First Middle

(If hosting together)Mr. Bride’s Father First LastAndMs. Bride’s Mother First LastRequest the honor of your presenceAt the marriage of their daughterBride First Middle

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Lastname 1AndMr. and Mrs. Lastname 2Request the honor of your presenceat the marriage ofBride First Middle Last

Invitation to Reception Only, (Common for destination weddings)

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Father First LastInvite you to join usIn celebrating the recent marriage of our daughterBride First Middle LastToGroom First LastWhich took place on Date, in LocationCome toast the happy coupleDay of the Week, Month Date, YearLocationCity, State

INFORMAL EVENTS

Get creative! As long as the important details are included (event request, names of the happy couple, date, time and location) the sky is the limit. Typically titles (Mr. / Mrs. / etc.) are omitted from informal invitations.

Sample 1

Bride First Middle LastAndGroom First Middle LastInvite you to shareIn the joy of their marriageDay of the week, the date of MonthAt timeEvent LocationCity, State

Sample 2

Please share in our joyAt the marriage of our daughterBride First LastToGroom First LastMonth Day, Year (not written out)At timeLocationCity, State

Sample 3

You’re invitedTo the marriage ofBride First Middle LastAndGroom First Middle Last.We hope you will join usAnd celebrate our unionDay of the week, the date of MonthAt timeEvent LocationCity, State

Sample 4

Bride First Last and Groom First LastInvite you to attendTheir marriageOnDay of the week, Month Date, Year (not written out)At timeEvent LocationCity, State

Sample 5

Together with their familiesBride First Last and Groom First LastInvite you to attendTheir marriageOnDay of the week, Month Date, Year (not written out)At timeEvent LocationCity, State